Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Peter SchorschOctober 12, 2017

State Sen. Gary Farmer was taken off the chamber’s Banking and Insurance Committee, but Senate President Joe Negron told Florida Politics there was “nothing nefarious” about the removal. Capitol insiders buzzed that Senate leadership was looking to exact revenge on the trial bar because of its financial support of Annette Taddeo, the Democratic opponent of […]

Michael MolineOctober 10, 2017

Assignment of benefits reform was among the first topics tackled by the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee Tuesday as it began preparing for the 2018 Legislative Session. A panel of interested parties, invited to debate points of contention, appeared to agree that so-called AOB agreements ought to be in writing, and that a deadline should […]

Michael MolineApril 3, 2017

A Senate committee voted Monday to give the insurance industry more control over contractors operating under assignment of benefits agreements, but also to prevent them from factoring their litigation costs into the premiums they charge. The vote was 6-2, with Republicans George Gainer of Panama City and Debbie Mayfield of Melbourne voting ‘No.” HB 1218 would […]

Peter SchorschMarch 14, 2017

Free market, corporate welfare, winners and losers. These phrases are uttered every day in the halls of the Florida Capitol while lawmakers are in Session; but, the reality is, government is, across many sectors of society, still in the business of picking winners and losers. One such instance where government picks winners and losers is […]

Michael MolineJanuary 10, 2017

Home repair contractors lashed out against calls for a crackdown on assignment of benefits agreements during testimony before a key Senate committee Tuesday, insisting such contracts protect homeowners and reputable remediation businesses. They argued instead for increased regulation of their industry, to put fly-by-night contractors out of business. “Would you please regulate us?” said Dave […]

Bill RuftyJanuary 20, 2016

The Florida Senate Banking and Insurance Committee passed a bill Tuesday by Sen. Kelli Stargel, a Lakeland Republican, protecting creditors from being sued or fined for continued harassing debt collection calls if the person owing the debt or their attorney fails to provide certain notice at a specific location. The vote was 7 to 3 in […]

Guest AuthorJune 1, 2014

The legislative session is over and the fall elections are in full swing. I saw the first yard signs this week and heard that the West Central Florida area is ground zero in the governor’s race. Already, terms like “fraud,” “phony” and “crook” are surfacing as candidates speak of their opponents. I am already tired […]

Tag: Senate Banking and Insurance Committee

Joe Negron: ‘Nothing nefarious’ in Gary Farmer’s reassignment

Senate begins search for consensus on AOB reform

Senate AOB reform bill bars insurers from charging litigation costs to customers

Credit unions: A ‘winner’ worth picking

Contractors mount defense of assignment of benefits agreements

Bill protecting creditors from lawsuits advances

John Grant: Voters are looking for candidates with integrity, not money